Cam Newton: Who is he? What did he say to the female reporter? Was it sexist?

CAM NEWTON is in hot water after making a sexist comment to a female reporter - but who is he and what did he say?

Cam Newton, 28, is the Carolina Panthers quarterback and was the only player in the modern era to be awarded the Heisman Trophy, win a national championship, and become the first overall pick in an NFL draft within a one-year span

In 2011 he was the first round draft pick - taken by the Panthers - after graduating from Atlanta (GA) Westlake.

And that year he was also named Offensive Rookie of the Year, while in 2015 he was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year and the NFL MVP.

He became the first quarterback in NFL history to throw for more than 400 yards on his debut and went on become the first rookie to break the 4,000-yard passing mark in his first season.

But he's caused a storm after a controversial press conference last Wednesday.

What did Cam Newton say?

Newton made a sexist remark toward a female reporter, saying it was "funny to hear a female" ask a tactical question about route running.

Newton smirked as Jourdan Rodrigue, a reporter for the Charlotte Observer, asked: "Cam, I know you take a lot of pride in seeing your receivers play well.

"Devin Funchess has seemed to really embrace the physicality of his routes and getting those extra yards. Does that give you a little bit of enjoyment to see him kind of truck sticking people out there?"

Newton muffled a smile before providing his answer.

"It's funny to hear a female talk about routes like - it's funny," the 28-year-old Newton said before discussing Funchess' development with the team.

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Rodrigue did not find the humor in Newton's assessment, as evidenced by her posts on social media.

“I don't think it's "funny" to be a female and talk about routes,” she posted on Twitter. “I think it's my job.’

She added in a statement: "I did my job as an NFL beat writer and asked Cam Newton a question about one of his receivers. His response not only belittled me but countless other women before me and beside me who work in similar jobs."

NFL spokesman Brian McCarthy called Newton's comments were "just plain wrong and disrespectful to the exceptional female reporters and all journalists who cover our league. They do not reflect the thinking of the league.”

Panthers spokesman Steven Drummond said on Wednesday afternoon: "I have spoken with Jourdan and Cam and I know they had a conversation where he expressed regret for using those words.

"We strive as a department to make the environment for media comfortable for everyone covering the team."

Rodrigue also said she was treated badly when she confronted him afterwards.

“I spoke with him after and it was worse,” she said on Twitter.

“I chose not to share, because I have an actual job to do today and one he will not keep me from.”

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Cam Newton caused a storm with his comments this week

Newton dumped by sponsor

Dannon, maker of the Oikos yogurt brand, have dumped Newton.

Michael Neuwirth, a spokesperson for Dannon, said in a statement that the brand was "shocked and disheartened” at the behavior and comments of Cam Newton towards [Charlotte Observer reporter] Jourdan Rodrigue, which we perceive as sexist and disparaging to all women.

"It is entirely inconsistent with our commitment to fostering equality and inclusion in every workplace,” he said.

“It's simply not OK to belittle anyone based on gender. We have shared our concerns with Cam and will no longer work with him."